Docker Compose defines multi-container development environments in code. New developers run a single command to start complete environments. Services match production configurations, reducing environment-specific bugs.
Compose Configuration
Define services, networks, and volumes in docker-compose.yml. Use environment variables for configuration. Mount source code for live reloading. Configure dependencies with depends_on.
- Use named volumes for persistent data like databases
- Mount source directories for live code reloading
- Configure health checks for proper startup ordering
- Use profiles for optional services like debugging tools
- Override files separate development from production configs
Development Workflow
Developers run docker-compose up to start environments. Hot reloading enables rapid iteration. Database seeds provide consistent test data. Tear down and recreate environments easily for clean testing.